her little frame. The fabric shimmered. She had always felt like an outsider in this planet, an imposter attempting to fit somewh
f invisible by flitting frantically from face to face, but she couldn't help but feel like the cent
very inch of him exuded control, from his flawlessly fitting suit to the cool, calculated stare he swept over the room, his stance was comfortable. His black hair, slicked back p
art hammering. He showed no smile. He had no need for. Unquestionably, the air was charged with exciting tensio
, she had to work to maintain consistent breathing as she moved. She could not turn away from him even if her palms were clammy as she c
leaving hers. Her senses were overwhelmed as their distance
ce sliced through the tension like a scalpel. "Amaya Donovan," he remarked with a nearly contemptu
stiff smile. Her speech serene but inwardly she felt everythin
y mastered. "You're hard to miss," he muttered. His eyes stayed fixed, and Amaya felt as though he saw right thr
ward amid the sea of polished professionals, she moved her weight from one foot to the other. Standing so naturally in his positio
r father's debts bring you here. That is correct, Amaya? His comments landed with a sharpness that made her spine quiver.
r presence here would not go unreported. But it became all t
ou've got it wrong." "He's the reason I'm no
"Amaya, everyone of us has options. Sometimes we s
for me right now, Mr. Delacroix? Should I request charity? The remarks were sha
of entertainment. "I doubt you will have to plead.
e kind of smile that implied he knew something she did not. He moved nearer, bridging the distance betwe
nt you to know the circumstances you find yourself in. There is cost ass
aya felt her heart thunder in her throat. She was mute and immobile. She thought
mistakes," Rylan said. Amaya, you would pay fo
d the words back up. He drew in closer, his lips nearly brushing
you understood just how
omething colder, darker. The kind of smile th
the words struck her like a punch to the gut. Not sure whether it was from the cold air of his presence or the dread building in her chest
he walls she so painstakingly created around herself. His eyes were fixed,
, warmth, or flirtation there. Just regulation. It was abundantly evident that the authority he possessed covered every soul that
now Rylan was implying she paid some sort of contribution. Her ideas whirled around, each more desperate than the last. From h
ya managed, her voice a whisper over the gala
aid hunger. "Everything, Amaya. You'll see soon enough. He moved in closer, the distance betw
f strain in her chest stifling her. Was he just talking
d another step towards her, "I always get what
life. These people, this planet, all seemed so far apart from the reality she knew. Rylan seemed to
by brick the barriers she had up to keep herself from col
chilly stone, she leaned against the railing as the cool night air brushed her skin. Un
en fixed hi
aya watched the flutter of dread in his eyes when their gazes locked. Though he didn't approach
m the railing, unable to meet him without bearing the weight of all that had gone wrong. Her father had been a rock of str
her side, his hand rested on her shoulder to guide her farther f
d never heard anything like th
's going on, Father?" "What would
lan, Amaya. More is involved here than you might first thin
tightened and he drew her closer before she could utter ano
et firm. "I want you not participating in this any